caring for herself. There was a muscular sturdiness about her which
Johnny had failed to notice before. In her hand gleamed a wicked looking
dagger with a twisted blade.

But that she had been caught unawares, there could be no question, and
from the kindly flash in her eyes Johnny read the fact that she was
grateful for her deliverance.

He threw one glance at the other igloos. Standing there casting dark,
purple shadows, they were strangely silent. Apparently these two
murderers had been appointed to accomplish the task alone. The others
were asleep. For this Johnny was thankful.

Turning to the woman he said sharply:

"Gotta git outa here. You, me, savvy?"

"Savvy," she replied placidly.

Seizing her fur bag of small belongings, Johnny hastened before her to
where the sled deer were tethered. Two sleds were still loaded, one with
an unused igloo and deerskins, the other with food. To each of these
Johnny hastily harnessed a reindeer. Then whipping out his knife, he cut
the tether of all the other deer. They would follow; it was the way of
reindeer.

Johnny smiled. These extra deer would spell the others and quicken
travel. In case of need, they could be killed for food. Besides, if they
had no deer, the treacherous natives could not follow. They would be
obliged to return to the Russian town they had left and make a new